Developed using Metrowerks CodeWarrior‚Ñ¢ (Pascal language).
What is MyEyes?
MyEyes is a small extension that draws on the menubar a pair of eyes constantly following the cursor movement.
Yes, I've already seen the Eyeballs INIT (I loved it!) and I must admit that it's a very old idea, but when I started working on color machines those poor, black & white peepers seemed to me a little dull. So, guess what! I added color and lived happy.
Installation
MyEyes requires System 7 and color Quickdraw; Apple Events handling capability is needed too.
Starting with version 2.0 the MyEyes package is formed by two distinct items: an extension named “MyEyes Extension” and a setup application named “MyEyes” followed by the version number.
To install MyEyes drag the extension to your System folder. A dialog will appear telling you that extensions must be placed in the “Extensions” folder: confirm by clicking Ok.
Restart your Macintosh.
During the startup sequence, an icon will be shown reflecting the extension loading status. A crossed-out icon means that you don't have the necessary hardware/software requirements.
Use the setup application to configure MyEyes.
Configuring MyEyes
You can configure MyEyes to suit your needs by selecting the “Settings...” option in the setup application. In the “Settings” dialog, you can change a number of parameters affecting the appearance and the behaviour of the eyes.
The various options are pretty self-explaining but you can use Balloon Help‚Ñ¢ to get additional info.
You can change the color of both the iris and the eyelids, the frequency of the blinking and the amount of mouse inactivity time after which the eyes must go to sleep.
You can choose the eyes movement mode between normal (i.e. not focusing) or independent (chameleon-like). Finally, you can change the eyes positioning mode.
The main feature introduced with version 2.0 is the automatic eyes positioning. The eyes are now displayed after the last menu item in the menubar (like the old Eyeballs did). This is the deafult setting.
As an alternative, you can still move the eyes using the click-and-drag technique to decide their horizontal position.
If you choose this mode, click on the eyes and keep the mouse button depressed (with no dialogs active); after a short delay a gray outline will appear and you will be able to move it horizontally to the desired position; at this point release the button and... that's all.
Finally, you can have the eyes positioned on the right side of the menubar (normally, on the left of the help menu in System 7). Unfortunately, MyEyes is still not compatible with clocks, battery minders or everything else using the same menubar space.
Note: as regards the eyelids colors, I used the terms “light skin” and “dark skin” for practical purposes only: if you find them offending or in bad taste, you have all my apologies. My intention was to give the user the opportunity to make MyEyes the more similar to his/her eyes as possible. I introduced this feature after receiving complaints for the unnatural color given to the eyelids.
I made a great effort to ensure that MyEyes is bug free but I make no warranty whatsoever, either implied or express, as to its correct functioning. When using this software, the user assumes all responsibility for damages caused, directly or indirectly, by its use.
Distribution
You can distribute MyEyes freely, provided that you leave the software and the accompanying documentation unchanged. You can include MyEyes in CD-ROMs and other software collections only by previous agreement.
MyEyes is SHAREWARE, which means that you are allowed to use it on a trial basis for up to 30 days. After this period, if you want to continue using it, you are expected to pay the required shareware fee (see Registration notes).
Note that MyEyes is not “crippleware”: unregistered copies are fully functional.
Registration
The shareware fee for MyEyes is US$10 for a single user license.
I am currently using the shareware service set up by Kee Nethery <kee@kagi.com>. This means that you can now pay your shareware fee with credit card (VISA, MasterCard and American Express), NetCash, First Virtual, US checks, foreign checks in US dollars, and cash in a variety of currencies.
To register MyEyes, use the Register application included in the package. Send the form together with your payment to:
Kagi Shareware
1442-A Walnut Street #392
Berkeley, California, 94709-1405
USA
For credit card payments, send the form via Email to <shareware@kagi.com> or by FAX to +1 510 652 6589. Checks should be made out to “Kagi Shareware”.
You can still send your payments directly to me, but I can only accept cash (US dollars or italian Lira). Anything else must be sent to Kagi.
To pay MyEyes with cash fill the “Registration Form” included in the package, put it in an envelope along with the money and send the whole thing to:
Federico Filipponi
c/o Fondazione Ugo Bordoni
via B. Castiglione, 59
00142 Rome
ITALY
After receiving your fee (or a notification from Kagi) I will send to you (preferably via Internet) a unique registration code for you to enter in the “Register Your Copy” dialog.
In general, when you register through Kagi Shareware, you'll have to wait for your registration code to come directly from ME (not from Kagi). Normally, as soon as I receive payment notices from Kagi, I send the codes to the personal e-mail addresses provided by the users.
If you're not equipped with an e-mail address, you'll have to wait a bit more (usually one or two weeks). A US$1 bonus for postal coverage is welcome.
Please note that Kagi is already asking an extra US$1 for paper receipt. That's only an acknowledgement and does not contain your registration code.
Note: when sending money in an envelope make sure it is not visible from outside: wrap the bill with an opaque paper leaf (here in Italy we are used to say: to trust others is good, not to trust is even more good).
How to contact the author
For any request, suggestion, bug report, etc. you can e-mail me at:
Internet: <fedefil@fub.it> or <fedefil@kagi.com>
Don't forget to visit my Home Page at:
http://www.kagi.com/authors/fedefil/
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to everybody who sent me e-mail and helped me improving MyEyes.
